Passing the pregnancy AFTER taking the  abortion pills

The abortion pill causes bleeding and pain that can last several hours or more. Pain usually begins 1-2 hours after misoprostol tablets, sometimes sooner. You can listen to descriptions of pain from real experiences on our Experiences of pain during an early medical abortion page.

Bleeding usually starts within 2 to 4 hours after using the misoprostol tablets. Please refer to the ‘Bleeding’ section below for more information about bleeding.

For some people, pain and bleeding can start more quickly but for others it can take longer. Pain and bleeding are often greatest when the pregnancy is being expelled. Most women pass the pregnancy within 4 hours of using the misoprostol however timings vary; and almost all women pass the pregnancy in the first 24 hours